Machine for treating metal pipes or tubes.



5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

|||HH 'IHI a ffoznm E. T. GREBNFIELD. MACHINE FOR TREATING METAL PIPES OR TUBES. APPLICATION FILED 001227, 1911.-

S fig E. T. GREENPIELD. MACHINE FOR TREATING METAL PIPES OR TUBES.

Suva ntoz Patented Jan. 12

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J @Q} Mi APPLICATION FILED 0GT.27, 1911. 1,1 $4,727

E. T. GREENPIELD. MACHINE FOR TREATING METAL PIPES ORTUBES.

APPLICATION FILED OGT,27, 1911. 1,,l2%,"i2'7., Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

m -ucntoz @513 affozncx (ill/Q E. T. GREENFIELD. MACHINE FOR TREATING METAL PIPES 0R TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT, 27, 1911.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

E. T. GREENPIELD. MACHINE FOR TREATING METAL PIPES OR TUBES. APPLICATION FILED 0012-7, 1911.

l 1 24,727. Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

6 SHEETSSHEET 5.

EDWIN T. GREENFIELD. OF KIAMES HA, NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR TREATING METAL PIPES 0R TUBES.

wearer.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 12, 1915.

Application filed October 27, 1911. Serial No. 657,064.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN T. GREEN- FIELD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Kiamesha, county of Sullivan, and State of New York, have made a new and useful Invention in Machines for Treating Metal Pipes or Tubes, of which the f0l lowing is a specification.

My invention is directed particularly to an apparatus or machine for coating tubes interiorly and exteriorl with molten zinc, tin, or metals of like cfiaracter, and it has for its object, first, to greatly increase the speed with which tubes of this nature may he thus coated; second, to effect such a coating with a loss of a minimum amount of the coating material; third, to effect a better coating than has been possible with any of the methods heretofore devised. In prior patents granted to me by the U. S. Patent Office on the 25th day of January, 1910 and bearing Nos. 947,439 and 947,440, I have described a method of and apparatus for effecting such treatment through the agency of heat and with certain mechanism, embracing brushes whereby after the pipes or tubes are subjected to a heated bath they are immediately automatically wiped both exteriorly and interiorly and while still heated. While good results are obtained by the method and apparatus disclosed in said patents I have discovered that a great loss of material results in the wear of the brushes, and also in the mingling of the particles of the metal brushes with the molten metal which it is found impossible to again utilize, unless resmelted. \Vith a view, therefore, of overcoming these objections I have devised the mechanism hereinafter described by which I accomplish the results sought.

For a full and clear understanding of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to construct and use the same reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figures 1 and 2 show in side elevational view my novel machine, a sectional view of part of the heating tank and the molten liquid therein being shown in Fig. 1, the two figures of the drawings being placed end to end with Fig. 1 on the right to clearly illustrate the complete machine. Fig. 3 is a plan illustrating in skeleton view the parts of the complete machine, together with a source of superheated air supply which is utilized. Fig. 4 is plan View, partly in section, mandrel around which the pipes or tubes are successively advanced. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line XX Fig. 2 as seen looking from left to right in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line YY Fig. 2 as seen looking from left to right in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 7 is a detail erspective view illustratmg one of the dgvices which successively holds the floating mandrel as the pipe or tube is advanced. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the blowers for effecting the removal of the superfluous coating material and giving to both surfaces of a tube a perfectly smooth effect, there being three such blowers; a pipe or tube being shown in position in the act of being coated and the floating hollow mandrel in the interior thereof. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view of one of the double valves and its connections for regulating the supply of air to the control mechanism. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a valve for regulating the admission of air into the interior of the tube and for permitting of the removal of said valve from the path of the tube when the latter is completely treated.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and first to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, 1 represents the frame or support for the machine consisting of two T-irons secured in an inclined position upon five legs 2 which are secured in turn by bolts to the floor 3. This frame or support rests at its right hand end upon the brick work 1 of the heating bath 4 in which the zinc, tin, or other coating material is adapted to be melted or heated. 5 is a driving shaft secured by journal bearings and standards 6 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 5) to one side of the frame or support and in alinement with each other. 7 (see Fig. 3) is a bevel gear-wheel at the substantial center of the shaft 5 meshing with a second bevel gear-wheel 8 carried by a shaft 10 and operatively connected to a pulley 9 journaled in journal bearings 11, 11 adapted to be driven by any source of power. 12, 12 are four beveled gear-wheels secured upon the shaft 5 and meshing with corresponding beveled gear-wheels 13, 13 connected to shafting journaled in standards upon the frame and carrying pairs of gear-wheels 14, 14. 15, 15 are pairs of driving rolls for feeding the pipe or tube through the maan enlarged of the floating chine. 16, 16 are pairs ofguiding rolls secured between the driving rolls and ournaled, the lower one, upon a pair of stand- Fig. l to the stop 18 near the edge of the brick work 1 on the right of Fig. 1, and 20 a solid mandrel secured to one end thereof by screw-threads, so as to constitute in effect a single floating mandrel, which is disclosed in Figs. 4 and 8 in detail; and 21, 21, 21 are holding notches at stated intervals on this mandrel. 22 is the head of the mandrel, the same being screw-threaded so asto connect it thereto, as shown, and coneshaped so as to readily enter a tube to be treated as it is. inserted in the machine. 23 (see Fig. 8) is a connector for connecting the two mandrels together; it is hollow and is provided with screw-threads at its opposite ends and has a series of holes 24, 24. This part 23 constitutes the outlet of the interior blower. '25 represents one of the pipes or-tubes during the process of treating. 26 is a gear-Wheel on the end of the shaft 5 meshing with a second gear-wheel 27 on the end of a short shaft 28 journaled to the frame. On the free end of this shaft is a beveled gear-wheel 29 which meshes with a second beveled gear-wheel 30 (see Figs. 1 and 3) which in turn is operatively connected with a grooved driving wheel 31 journaled on the end of a shaft supported by the frame (see Fig. 3). 32 is a second grooved wheel which is pivotally supported at 33 to the frame and is the duplicate in size and shape of the driving wheel 31, 34 being a spring which is designed to yieldingly attach such wheels togetherso as to permit of more or less play as may be required in the feeding of the pipe, and of the admission of different sized pipes. 35 (see Fig. 3) represents a source of super-heated air connected by a pipe to a source of supply not shown. 36, 37 are air pipes running from the air supply one to an exterior blower 39 and the other through a pipe 38 to a. second exterior blower 40. 41 represents an air chamber (see Fig. 8) in the first exterior blower and a diagonally inclined groove which permits of adjustment of the air' supply by means of a hollow screwthreaded plug 42 which has longitudinal movement through the blower 39 so as to give to it a forward and backward movement in the air chamber 41, and so as to adjust the amount of air issuing from the blower 42 asshown. 43 is another or supplemental air chamber in a second exterior blower 40 and is also made adjustable with relation to a series of direct acting blast holes 44 by a second hollow screw-threaded plug 43 which has longitudinal movement in the blower 40 so as to adjust the size of said blast holes. Such adjustment in the sides of the blast openings 44 can be secured in any usual manner, as by clamping interchange rings, provided with blast openings of different sizes, in position by the screw plugs 43. 45, 45 are bolts and 46 sleeves for attaching the blower 40 in alinement with and directly to the blower 39. 47, 48, 49 are air supply and regulating pipes connected to the supply of compressed air 35 and adapted to render the operation of the mechanism automatic, the pipe 49 being flexible and connecting the pipe 48 to a valve chamber 51 (see Fig. 10) through the agency of a set-nut 50. The valve chamber 51 is carried by the pivoted arm 17 shown at the left hand end of Figs. 2 and 3. 52 is a valve designed to connect the supply of air which is carried to the inside of the pipe or tube to be treated. This valve is provided with a concave seat 53 which fits accurately a convex surface 54 on the extreme outer end of the floating mandrel 19. A valve casing 56 is connected to the right-hand ends of the pipes 47 and 48, and contains a valve 55 which isv normally closed for cutting off communication between said pipes, as shown in Fig. 9; said valve being raised by a crank 58 on a shaft 57 secured to the adjacent pivoted arm 17 for placing said pipes 47 and 48 in communication, the function of these two valves being respectively to control the supply of air within the mandrel 19, as Wlll be more particularly described later on. 59 1s a guide (see Figs. 1 and 3) for guiding the endof the pipe into the machine. 60 and 61 are shields for protecting an attendant from being burned by the spattering metal as it is blown out of the machine. 62 and 63 are cocks connected with a source of gas supply and 64 is a Bunsen burner, the function of which is to heat the beveled head 22 to a red heat and also to heat the rolls 31 and 32 and thus prevent the accumulation of zinc upon them.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The molten metal, as zinc or any material it is preferred to use, is heated 1n the bath 4 to the desired temperature, the plpes having first been pickled in abath of muriatic acid in any well known manner so as to remove all scales, as disclosed in my prior patents above referred to. They are then immersed in the bath 4 and are ready to proceed with the process of coating. The attendant with a pair of tongs l1fts one pipe 25 into the position shown in Fig. 1, so that its end is received by the grooved driving wheel 31 and its companion grooved guide wheel 32 and is guided over the cone- -the pipes.

shaped head 22 of the mandrel. As it passes into the machine its end comes into mechanical contact with the two guide rolls 16 and lifts the upper roll and arm 17 so that the free end thereof is caused to lift the forked catch or stop 18 entirely free of the first groove 21 in the mandrel 19, it being noted that there are four of these locking grooves in the mandrel and four corresponding stops 1.8 held by arms 17 at different distances on the mandrel. The same action, through the agency of the shaft 57 and arm 58, lifts the first double valve 55 to uncover pipe 47 and 47 and 48 in communication. It will be noted at this point that these two valves are both normally closed so that all of the air which enters the pipe 37 passes downward through the pipe 38 into the blower 40; but the act of opening the valve causes the air to be divided, part thereof passing downward through the blower 40, the other part passing to the right through the pipe 47 ultimately joining the pipe 49 and passchamber 51 (see Fig.

place said pipes ing through the valve 10) against the valve 52 with sufficient force to effectually seat the concave face 53 against the convex face 54 of the end of the hollow mandrel 19, seen in enlarged view in Fig. 8, so that as soon as the pipe passes over the holes 24, 24, 24 it begins to act upon the interior coating with such an effect as to thoroughly spread the same and liquid zinc; at the same time a branch of .the supply of air passes the pipe 38 to the chamber 43 and outward through theholes 44, the function of this blower being to eflectually act upon the threads at the ends of the pipe and obtain the best possible effect, it being desirable that as much metal as possible shall be removed from the threads so as to prevent undue friction in connecting In addition to this the main branch 36 supplies air to the main exterior blower 39 through the chamber 41 and the groove 42 at an incline effectually spreading the coating and removing the extraneous metal from the surface. The amount of air is regulated by the adjustable means disclosed in Fig. described, pendent upon the coating wanted and upon the amount of metal it is desired to remove from the surfaces, both exteriorly and interiorly. The pipe proceeds under the influence of the pairs of driving rolls 15, 15 and is guided on its forward progress by the pairs of guide rolls 16, 16 and when it reaches the second pair of said guide rolls it lifts the valve 55 into opened position with the pipe 48 as did the like valve in the first part of the operation. At the same time that the valve is released the forked end 18 of the first mandrel holding' device on the right falls into its normalj'position the best results are and elfectually locks the mandrel. This action also leaves the valve 55 of that valve chamber in its lower or normal position, thus closing the pipe 47. When the valve 55 on the left was raised it opened nection in the pipe 48 and allowed a supply of air to pass by the pipe 37 to the pipes 48, 49, to the valve, as before, and still retain it in closed position, it being remembered that the valve 55 in the right hand valve chamber 56 was closed when the pipe passed from under the forked notch or stop 18 which holds the floating mandrel. These two valves 55 are normally in their lower position, as seen in Fig. 9, it being understood that the pipes 47 and 48 are both normally closed so that the only air passing out from the air supply 35, when the machine is not in operation, passes through the pipes 36 and 38 to the blowers 39 and 40, through which latter it continuously flows. As the pipe passes on and is completely treated it ultimately passes from under the end of the forked notch or stop 18 and allows the shaft 57 and arm 58 to actuate the valve 55 and close it so that all the air pressure is cut off from behind the valve 52, thereby leaving it in a position such that when the pipe comes into mechanical contact with it and advances under the action of the feed rolls the free end thereof liftsthe pivoted arm 17 which holds this valve out of the path of said pipe as shown in dotted lines Fig. 10. It will be noticed also that the various forked notches or stops 18 are successively operated so that at least one of them is always holding the floating mandrel against movement, while the others are open. The pipe passes on and ultimately is deposited at the end of the machine completely treated. The pivoted valve chamber 51 and its inclosed valve again assumes the position shown in full lines when the last end thereof passes out of the machine, so that it is now ready to again be seated by the admission of air behind the valve 52 when the right hand valve 55 of the two controlling valves is again lifted by the entrance of a pipe at the distant end.

Although I prefer to use heated air I do not limit my invention to such use, as fairly good results might be accomplished with the air in normal condition, but I find that obtained by having a super-heated air of given temperature. Various gases might also he used. such matters being well within the skill of those versed in the art; might be used directly in the blowers. in place of compressed air.

It is to be noted that, as has been indicated generally hitherto, the hot blast has a sort of skimming or squeezing action. It comes in such direction and with such force that it scrapes or brushesbefore it or peels or super-heated steam vancing tube,

. thin zinc coatin claims. Nor do I limit myself to the coatoff an annular wave orswelling of the still fused and mobile spelter or zinc. The blast comes in the shape of a sharp edged ring or zone, the edges of which strike the walls of the tube with great force. The annular wavereferred to, as it sweeps down the adtakes up all the coating, save that which is in actual almost molecular contact with, the walls of the tube, thus reducing the quantity of zinc necessary for the coating, to a minimum. This effect may be modified by adjusting the apparatus. At the same. time, coating into all the crannies and depressions of the surface, until all these are lled or coated and the surface is completely and uniformly galvanized or covered with a Instead of the wiping brushes of his former patents, he substitutes the present ring-shaped air-brush or scraper.

I do not limit my invention to the especial apparatus disclosed for accomplishing the novel method herein described, as many of the features thereof might be departed from and still come within the scope of my ing of pipes, as obviously this method and apparatus may be used to effect the coating of rods-by simply dispensing with the float- .ing mandrel and its attached parts and utilizing only those parts which are designed to coat a pipe exteriorly. Nor do I limit myself to coatingtubes with a molten metal, as my novel method and my novel machine for applying said method may be used generally in the arts for coating tubes or rods, or metal strips or surfaces, with any liquid, such as paints, varnishes or the like. and I contemplate all such uses.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is- 1. In a machine for treating coated tubes, a hollow mandrel adapted to be inserted within the tube, and means for supplying air under pressure; in combination with means for automatically establishing operative relation between said tube and mandrel, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for treating coated tubes, a hollow floating mandrel provided with means located at different points for successure, supply with the blowers,

sively holding it stationary as the tube advances over it; an exterior and an interior blower, means for supplying air under presa series of pipes connecting said air and the interior of the mandrel and a series of valves adapted to automatically regulate the flow of air to the interior blower, substantially as described.

A machine for treating the interior surface of a coated-tube, comprising mechanism for feedingjhe tube forward, means for diface of the tube,

the hot blast, beats the mam recting an air blast against the inner surand means for automatically controlling the operation of such air blast.

' 4. A machine for treating the interior surface of a coated tube, comprising mechanism for feeding the tube forward, means for directing an air blast against the inner surface of the tube, and means automatically actuated upon such feed of the tube toward the air blast for starting the operation of the latter.

5. A machine for treating the interior surface of a coated tube, comprising mechanism for feeding the tube forward, means for directing an air blast against the inner surface of the tube, and means automatically actuated upon such feed of the tube from the air blast for stopping the operation of the latter.

6. A machine for treating the interior surface of a coated tube, comprising mechanism for feeding the tube forward, means for directing an air blast against the inner surface of the tube, and automatic means for starting the air blast upon feed of the tube toward the latter, and for cutting off such air blast upon feed of the tube therefrom.

7. A machine for distributing a solidifiable liquid coating upon a surface of a tube, consisting of a mandrel, means for feeding said tube forward upon said mandrel, means for directing an air blast against said surface and means whereby the tube automatically cuts on and off the blast in its traverse, and a succession of means for holding the magndrel in place during the passage of the tu e.

8. In a machine for distributing a coating upon the inside of a tube, a hollow floating mandrel, provided with air discharge openings, means for supplying air through the mandrel to said openings, locking notches in the exterior of the mandrel, means connected with said notches for holding the mandrel, a slidable socket cooperating with said means in succession for holding the mandrel at its far end, means for feeding the tube forward and a device connected to said holding socket for moving it out of the path of the tube as it is fed forward.

9. In a machine for coating the insides of tubes, a hollow floating mandrel connected with air openings, a sliding hollow socket for supporting the far end of said mandrel, a succession of devices for holding the mandrel at intervals throughout its length, means' controlled by the tube in its passage for moving such devices and socket out of the way as the tube passes, means for feeding the tube forward and a device for passing air, under pressure, through the socket and hollow mandrel.

' 10. In a machine for coating the insides D nected with air discharge openings, a sliding hollow socket for supporting the far end of said mandrel, a succession of supports for supporting the mandrel at intervals throughout its length, means controlled by the tube in its passage for moving such supports and socket out of the way as the tube passes, means for feeding the tube forward and a device for passing air, under pressure, through the socket and hollow mandrel, said mandrel being provided at its near end with a conical head, fitting the tube.

11. A machine for coating tubes inside and out comprising a floating mandrel, a series of successively releasable devices for holding said mandrel, mechanism for gripping and for advancing a tube over said mandrel, and means including said mandrel for driving skimming sharp-edged blasts upon and along the surfaces of the tube as it advances.

12. A machine for treating the interior surface of a tube, comprising mechanism for feeding the coated tube forward, means for directing skimming sharp-edged'blasts against the surfaces of the coated tube, and mechanism automatically actuated upon such feed of the tube for starting the oper-.

ation of the blast.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWIN T. GREEN FIELD.

Witnesses: V

C. J. KINTNER, M. F. KEATING. 

